Automatic food-vending machine



Original Filed March 2, 1917 J. ZSOLDOS AUTOMATIC FOOD VENDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

JU/lb/ Era/0 0x Jan. 3, 19 5- 1,522,932

, J. ZSOLDOS AUTOMATIC FOOD VENDING MACHINE Original Filed March 2, 1917 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

BY A TT [61V VS.

Jan. 13, 1925- 1522 932 J. ZSOLDOS AUTOMATIC FOOD VENDING MACHINE Original Filed March 2, 1917 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 AT 0 NEYS.

Jan, 13,1925.

J. ZSOLDOS AUTOMATIC FOOD VENDING MACHINE Original Filed March 2 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I [NVENTO e. Ju/m/ ZIO/O/UJ Jan. 925. I 1,522,932

J. zsoLDos AUTOMATIC FOOD VENDING MACHINE Orgina1 Filed March 2, 1917 6 sheelzs-sheel 5 I 'Ffg' 6 I 0 A z; I

$54 INVENTOR.

Ju/fw' 270/0 01 J1 ZSOLDOS Jan, 13, 1925.

AUTOMATIC F001) VENDING MAGHINE Original Filed March 2, 1917 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Nov. 14, 1922,

Patented Jan. 13, 1925.

dril FFQE.

JULIUS ZSO LDO S, OF BROOKLYN, NEXV YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE'ASSIGNMEIITS. TO AUTOINTATEQUIPMENT CORPORATION, A COEPGRATION OF DELAW'ARE.

AUTOMATIC FOCD-VENDING MACHINE.

Original application filed March 2, 1917, Serial No. 151.930.

To aZZ whom {If-may concern:

Be it known that I, JUraUsZsonnos, a citizen of lliungary, residing at New York city, borough of. Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented acertain new and useful Automatic Food Vending Machine, oi which the following is a specification.

This invention is an automatic vending inachine of the character disclosed in my copending application Serial No, 151,930, filed March :2, 1917, Patent bio-1,485,440, of which application this case forms a division.

This invention while directed generally to a food vending machine which will vend food in a simple, eiiicient and certain manner and under thoroughly sanitary conditions, has particularly to do with the coin controlled mechanism of such machine and the manner in which the coin is guided and manipulated after being deposited in the coin slot of the machine.

The object of the invention is to provide a coin controlled vending machine emb0dying simple and ei'licientmechanism for causing a coin after it has been deposited in the machine to be returned to the depositor if the machine is inoperative or the vending compartment empty, and to direct sa1d coin *into a position to accomplish the-vending a operation in the event that vendable articles engagement with the switch which is closed by the weight of the coin and the closing of thisswitch is adapted to energize electrical illGdDSfOl' the purpose of unlocking the discharging closure, so that an intended par-- chaser may remove the "food therefrom. With the said electrical means is associated coin directing means which is controlled by the switch, so thatsimultaneously with the unlocking of the discharging closure, the com directingmeans is actuated into a positron wherein the introduction of further "coins into the machine will bring about a Divided and this application filed October 11,1922

Patent No. 1,435.440, dated November 14,

Serial NO. 593,801.

return of such further coins to the prospective purchaser. By the employmentot such-a coi'istruction, it will be apparent thatpui'chasers depositing coins in a machine which is not in condition to vend food will have thecoins auto- 'maticallyreturned to them. The mechanism for bringing about this result is simple,

eilicientai'id thoroughly reliable in its operation and while I have "desci"ibecl"'tl1e preferred embodiment of the invention, said invention may partake of different forms withoutdeparting from tlies pirit or scope thereof.

" Features the invention, other than those specified, as well as the advantagesthereof, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the food dispensing chan'iber and adjacent mechanical and structural elements as viewed from the rear of the vending machine ot'this invention. In the interest or clearness, the upper portion of the structure is reinovedand certain parts broken away to clearly show the front door locking and unlocking mecha nism, the rear door being omitted.

Figure 2 is a similar view of that portion or the machine directly beneatli the floor oi? the food dispensing chamber. In this view.

also, portions of the coustri'iction are broken away in the interest of clearness.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section of the machine taken in the plane oi the line 3 1? of Figure 6.

Figure at is a section on the line l-l of Figure 3, the parts being shown in perspective.

' Figure 5 is a vertical irontto-bacl; section of the machine, taken in the plane of the line 5 of Figure (3. I

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a rert'ical, sectional detail of certain mechanism for-directing the passage oi a coin in its travel through the machine.

Figure 8 is a side elevation, partly in sec ion tion, of means, o erable by a coin, for controlling the operation of the discharging closure locking means, and

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electric circuits preferably employed and the mechanical actuating devices connected therewith.

Referring to the drawings, a, a, a and a designate four upright corner posts, which, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, are in the form of metallic channel sections. As shown best in Figures 1, 2 and (i, the corner posts a and a at the front, of the machine, as well as the remaining corner posts a and a at the rear thereof, are so disposed that the flanges of the channel sections from wh'ich they are formed extend rearwardly of the machine so as to provide in the back of each corner post an upright, channel-shaped space or cavity, whereby mechanism positioned therein is invisible to a person viewing the machine from the front thereof.

The four corner posts aa are maintained in spaced, upstanding relation by means of horizontal ties Z)-b extending across the front and back of the machine, respectively, and secured at their opposite ends to the upper ends of the corner posts, while similar horizontal ties secure the upper ends of the corner posts a and a to the corner posts a and (1?, respectively. Like the corner posts, the ties bb* are also of channel section, but, in the construction of the frame of the machine, these tie channel sections are inverted so as to leave the top of the frame flush, while within and beneath each channel section is formed a channel-shaped passage adapted to house certain operating mechanism in concealed position, The ties referred to thus maintain the upper ends of the corner posts in spaced relation, while positioned at lower levels, and secured at theirfour corners to the corner posts, is a plurality of shelves or partitions, c, c and 0 which also serve to maintain the corner posts in spaced relation, said shelves having further functions hereinafter described.

Across the top of the frame thus constructed is positioned a cover or top 0, preferably made of glass to facilitate the illumination of the compartment A inter-r mediate said top C and the partition 0, in which compartment is adapted to be positioned the food to be vended, said compartment being hereinafter termed the dispensing chamber. The lateral sides of compartment A are preferably closed by glass panels (I, while the front or discharge opening of said compartment is provided with a door or closure D. and the back or charge opening with a door or closure D. The front and sides of each of the compartments formed between the shelves 0 and c and 0' and 0 are closed by panels 6!, which are preferably of an opaque nature so as to conceal certain operating mechanism housed within said compartments.

The front door or discharge closure D is preferably provided with a transparent glass viewing panel and is pivoted, near its upper edge, on a pair of trunnions 'e, mounted on the door and journaled in the adjacent flanges of the corner posts a and a, 'The door substantially fills the opening in which it is positioned, and its upper edge extends upwardly between the depending flanges of the channel tie b, as shown in Figure A spring 6 is mounted upon the top "of the door and engages at its opposite ends with the inner surface of the outer flange of the tie Z), the function of which spring is to oscillate the door on its trunnions to a slightly open position, when said door is not positively locked shut. The door is locked in closed position by means embodying a keeper F, mounted on, and projecting inwardly from, the door, and with which co-operates the toe of a locking latch F. Latch F is in the form of a stem mounted for longitudinal and rotative moven'ient in a journal f fixed on the back of the corner post a and so positioned that the stem is disposed between the flanges of said corner post and is thus concealed from View from the front of the machine. A spring 7' is coiled about the stem of latch F, being secured at its upperend to said stem, to, preclude relative movement, and at its lower end to the journal f. This spring has the dual function of depressing latch F and simultaneously rotating the toe thereof into engagement with the edge of the adjacent flange of the corner post a lVith this construction, it is manifest that, if door D is forced into its fully closed position, latch F will rotate slightly against the tension of spring 7, to allow the nose of the keeper F to pass by the toe of the latch,

after which said spring will return the toe f into engagement with the edge of the flange of the corner post, in which position said toe will occupy a position forward of keeper F and lock the door in closed position.

.To release the door from its locked condition, it is only necessary to elevate the stem of latch F against the tension of spring f which operation will lift the toe f of said latch free from engagement with keeper F, whereupo-nspring e on the top of the door will immediately shift the door to the partially open position described, and shown in dotted lines in Figure 5. This elevation of the latch; is accomplished through the oscillation of a rock-shaft G, disposed in parallel relation to the upper horizontal tie 7) and positioned between the depending flanges thereof so as to be in concealed position. The forward/end o't rock-shaft G is journaled in a bearing on the inner side of corner post a, and the rear end oi said shaft extends through the corner post a i shaft G is oscillated in a clockwise direction,

the stem of the latch will be elevated and the toe f thereby raised to free the keeper F and unlock the door.

- This oscillation of rock-shaft G, which results in the unlocking of the door as de-- scribed, is in this machine, made conditional upon the-depositing of a. coin of a predetermined value into the machine,- and is dependent upon means, governed by sald coin,

for completing an electric circuit through a solenoid or electromagnet H, the core /L of which is connected, through alink 72, with crank arm g fixed to the rear end of said rock-shaft. The parts are so associated that,

qwhen current is passed through the solenoid,

the core thereof will be lowered or pulled down into the'coil of the solenoid, thereby oscillating the rock-shaft in a clockwise direction, elevating the toe 7 ot' the latch, and unlocking the door.

The electric circuittwhich controls the operation of solenoid H is shown in relatively light lines in Figure 9, and is designated w; 111 F1gure 9, the several electric circuits which control the complete operation of the machine are illustrated in [such manner as to distinguish each circuit from the others, the circuit 00 being shown, asstated, in relativelyhght lines, the c1r-- cuit 2 the function of which will be hercinafter described, being shown in heavier lines, while the circuit .z which is of a local nature, is shown in dash lines.

The circuit a" is fed from any source of electrical supply, such as a street main, through suitable resistance or a transformer, not shown, and within the machine is a coin-operated switch, shown in Figure 9 and detailed in Figure 8. This switch embodies a rocker arm I pivoted intermediate its At one end of the rocker arm is a V-shaped coin receiving tray i, while at its other. end the rocker arm is counter-balanced by a weight 2' which may be adjusted to normally maintain said arm in engagement with the movement limiting post 2 j The adjustment, however, is of such delicate nature that, when a coin w is received within the V-shaped tray, its weight will serve to destroy the equilibrium and cause the rocker arm to tilt-and come into engagement with the post 71 in which position the coin will avith the coin slot Z is a coin roll out of the open end of said trayand' fall tion (2 on which said switch mechanism is mounted, to be received in a suitable receptacle or drawer (not shown) positioned therebeneath. Associated with thepivot or spindle on which the rock-shaft is journaled is a contacty', shaped in the form of a c 'auk. with the end thereo'l depending into a vessel j resting upon the iuppere face of partition 0 \Vithin the vessel jis retained, in stratified condition, three liquids, in, ki-and 7c. The liquid is preferably mercury,-liquid 7c alcohol and liquid Z: kerosene oil. The post or standard 71 is in electrical .connnunication witlrthe circuit :11, while the inercury within the vessel jifOlIlliw, the;other pole of the circuit, said circuit being established when the rocker arm is tilted "sntli ciently to bring-the depending end of the crank arm 7' into contact with the mercury in the vessel. The alcohol is a:very poor conductor, and precludes the. carbonizing of the mercury or metallic contact j yli'lllltl the kerosene precludes-the evaporation of the alcohol due to itsvolatility. It will, of course, be understood that other liquids might be employed in lieu of those described.

- but the illustration given is of a form which I have found highly practical and eiiicient.

The-daslrpot switch described is the one which I prefer to -employ, as practically no friction is encounteredand a perfect contact is assured.-= However. it is possible that a purely mechanicalcontact might be availed of, and, accordingly, the invention is not limited to such (lltlSll-POiDCOIliZfiCi'.

From what has been-said, it will be apparent that when a coin is deposited .within the tray '5 and the circuit 1* closed thereby in the-manner specified, the solenoid l-l will be energized and the door D. unlocked, all

depending upon the presence of such coin in the tray. Thecoin is deposited in the machine through a coin slot Z, preferably formed in the corner post 0. Registering chute L. through which the coin passes irontthe slot Z, downwardly through partition c, and is received therebeneath by switch mechanism adapted, it there is food in chamber A. to deliver the coin to the switch operating tray i. or, it there is no food in chan'lber A. to return the coin to the depositor. -Coin chute L is positioned immediately anterior ot the web of corner post (1, andintermediate the flanges thereof so as to be in concealed position.

The switch lllQCllzIlllSlll, as shown best in Figures 2 and 7, embodies a casing Z. some what thicker through than thecoiu slot, the lower portion of which is divided by a partition 7 into two parts, one oi which has connnunication at-its base witha branch Z of the coin .chute, which branch leads to the tray 2". The other division of the casing Z is in communication with the second branch Z of the coin chute, said branch extending downwardly and forwardly and having its outlet in a return tray Z positioned exterior, and at the front face, of the machine. Pivoted along the upper edge of partition Z is a flap valve M, which may be oscillated from one side to the other to direct a coin, dropping through the chute L, into either of its branches. The operation of this flap *alve is governed by the common armature m of two magnets N N, said armature m being positioned upon the spindle which serves as the axis of oscillation of the flap valve M. Thus, when the magnet N is energized, the fl'ap valve will be moved to the position shown in full lines in Figure 7 and in dotted lines in Figure 9, to direct a coin, subsequently passing through the chute, into the discharge branch thereof, whereby said coin will be returned to the depositor. Magnet N is included in the circuit and it thus becomes apparent that the unlocking of the door in the manner hereinbeforc specified, through the energization of the circuit 01?, will automatically shift the flap valve to such position that a coin subsequently deposited in the coin slot Z will be returned to the depositor, unless some further operation has taken place. Such operation is, in accordance with this invention, made conditional upon the positioning of further food within chamber A, so that, after the article of food within the chamber has been vended, all subsequent coins deposited in the machine will be returned, unless said chamber has been recharged.

Food is introduced into chamber A through the back door or charge closure D, which, as shown in Figure 5, is provided at opposite sides with trunnions journaled in the corner posts a a In charging chamber A, it is, of course, necessary to open the door, and with the door is associated switch mechanism whereby the opening operation serves to complete a circuit y, shown in relatively heavy lines in Figure 9. The switch mechanism is best shown in Figure 5 as embodying a rigid, insulated contact 0, mounted on the door, and an insulated, spring contact 0 mounted on the transverse tie Z). \Vhen the door is opened to the dotted line position of Figure 5, contact 0 will engage with contact 0 and complete the circuit 9/ at this point.

. In circuit y is included magnet N, here-' inbefore referred to, for operating the flap valve M to a position wherein a coin, dropping through the coin chute, will be directed through branch Z thereof and to the switch operating tray 2'. Also included within circuit is a solenoid or electromagnet P, the function of which, when energized, is to automatically close and lock the front door D, when the circuit y is energized through the opening of the back door D, incident to the charging of chamber A,

It has been stated that, after the food within chamber A has been removed by a purchaser, the spring 0 at the top of the front door maintains said door in the slightly opened position shown in dotted lines in Figure 5. The door remains in this position until subsequently positively closed through the .energization of the solenoid P by theopening of the back door D. This automatic closing of the front door is effected through a rock-shaft- Q, whichis positioned beneath the tie in the same manner as rock-shaft G is positioned beneath tie 7)". Fixed near the forward end of the shaft Q, is a laterally projecting finger g, which cooperates with a finger g fixed on one of the trunnions e of the front door D. Fixed to the rear end of shaft Q is an actuating arm 9 which is connected through a link 7) to the core 2 of the solenoid P. The link 7) is normally maintained in elevated position, and the finger g maintained substantially free from engagement with the finger g, by a spring 72 associated with the operatingarm 9 as shown in Figure 1. However, when the solenoid P is energized through the closing of the circuit 1 deggnding upon the opening of the back door the core 7) is drawn within solenoid P, thereby rotating the rock shaft Q in a clockwise direction and bringing an upward pressure to bear, through the finger q, upon the finger g. Ifthe frontdoor D is in open position, such upward pressure on the finger q will overcome the tension of the spring 6 on the: top of the door and move the door into closed position. During this closing operation, the door will automatically become looked through the cooperation of-keeper F and latch F, as here inbefore described. Thus, the opening of the back door, to recharge the. chamber, auto matically effects the closing of the front door, without necessitating the attendant reaching through the compartment and pulling the front doo-r'shut before recharging the chamber. This is ofconsiderable importance in the. commercial adaptation of the present invention, since, when so employed, a large number of these vending compartments are arranged in tiers positioned side by side, which makes it impossible for the attendant to reach around to the front to close the door, and makes it necessary for him to reach through the compartment, pulling the door shut through the back.

In the preferred form of the machine of this invention, the maintaining of the front door D in partially opened position, when the chamber is empty, is not dependent entirely upon spring 6, since it is desired to have the prospective customer know, upon approacl-iing a compartment, that the compartn'ie'nt is empty, if such is the case, and this may be very readily accomplished by having the door slightly ajar, since, manifestly, no one would drop a coin into a machine to open a door, if the door were already open. -Accordingly, in the embodiment illustrated, means is provided for positively precluding the relocking of the door if a customer, after removing the food from chamber A, slams the door shut. This means is shown in the form of an arm secured to rock-shaft Q and provided with a nose-working through an aperture g in the inside flange of the corner post a. Arm 9 is so mounted on the shaft that the tension of spring 71 normally oscillates shaft Q to protrude'the nose of arm Q3 through the aperture and project the same into the doorway. \Vhen the door is in closed position, the end of said nose will engage with the'lateral edge of the door, but, as soon as the door isopened, said nose will be projected across the doorway by the spring p Thus after acustomer has opened the door, the slamming of the door shut to such extent as to allow of the locking thereof is absolutely precluded. However. when the solenoid P isenergized through the opening of the backdoor, the nose of the arm q is retracted through the-opening substantially simultaneously with the upward pressure on the finger q of the door trunnion, which sequence "of operations allows of the automatic, mechanical closing of the front door.

It is desirable, moreover, to provide some meanswhereby the attendant may be advised when a compartment is empty in such conspicuous manner as to obviate the necessity of walking along behind the compartments and looking into each one to ascertain its condition. This means is embodied in a signal,'which may be either audible or visual, the latter form being shown. An electric lamp 2 is included in a circuit 2, preferablylocal, and energized from a battery 2 A pivoted contact arm a is controllable by a'pair ofelectro-magnets S S, which are included in the circuits at and y, respectively, (see Figures 2 and 9). When magnet S is energized, contact arm 8 is drawn into electrical connection with a fixed contact 8' and local. circuits completed, whereas, when magnet S is energized, contact arm 8 is drawn away from the fixed contact 8 and circuit a broken. This organization of parts and circuits brings about such coordination that-{when a coin is deposited in the charged machine, it travels downwardly through the coin chute to oscillate the rocker arm Land complete the circuit a2. and the front door is unlocked, through solenoid H,

to allow of the removal of food. At the same time, magnet N moves the flap valve to a position wherein, if a coin is deposited in the slot before the chamber A is recharged, said coin is returned to the depositor, while magnet S causes the lighting of the signal lamp 2, thereby advising the attendant that the food in that particular compartment has been dispensed) hen the attendant recharges chamber A, just emptied, the opening of the rear door to accomplish this result automatically closes circuit y, with the result that solenoid P closes the front door and magnet- N moves the flap valve to a position to direct the coin to the switch I, while magnet S breaks the circuit thereby extinguishing the signal lamp.

It is desirable, from a commercial standpoint, for the proprietor or owner of the machine to know the earnings thereof, and, accordingly, 1 preferably include within circuit a, which unlocks the front door, an electrically operated cash register or counting device U, whereby the intermittent opera-v tions of the machine'are recorded and their cash value displayed. This enables the pro prietor, by glancing at the dials of the registers of the respective machines, to ascertain immediately the earnings of each, without necessitating the counting of the receipts.

It will be noted that in the accompanying drawings, more particularly in Figures 1, 3 and t, push-button mechanism is shown in connection with the coin chute. This pushbutton mechanism embodies a push-button t. normally maintained in operative position, by a spring t and having a rearwardly extending stem 6 bent at rightangles and working in a slot t in the coin chute L. \Vhen the button is in extended position, the stem t partakes of the position shown in full lines in Figure 4, so that a coin, pass ing down thechute, is arrested at this point. lVhen the button is pressed, the stem t is shifted to the dotted line position of Figure 4:, allowing the coin to proceed on its way through the machine.

The push-button mechanism is incorporated in the machine shown merely for the purpose of uniformity with machines vending and mixing liquids. "The machine illustrated is intended for'the vending of foods, which are positioned in portions within chamber A, whereas, in dispensing llquids, a slightly different construct on is availed of for the proper mixing of the constituents, which construction is dependent,

in a measure, upon the actuation of a pushbutton. Accordinglygl have shown a push-.. button here so that this machine may be substantially uniform, in its exterior appearance and general operation, with theliquid mixing and vending machines.

From the foregoin description, it will be manifest that the invention possesses 111;]:

merous advantages, among which may be mentioned the automatic closing and locking of the front door, conditional upon the operation of recharging the dispensing chamber, the concealment of the operating mechanism from purchasers. the positivencss and certainty of the operations of the 'machine, the immediate signalling of the attendant incident to the vending of an article, the incorporation in the mechanism of cash recording means, whereby the proprietor may know. at a glance, the receipts from any particular machine,'and the construction of the frame in such manner that the majority of the walls which form the dis pensing chamber are made from transparent material, such as glass, with consequent advantages in the display of food, attractiveness of the machine, and sanitary features, all of which are contributing factors of great importance to the practicability and commercial success of the machine. In fact, five of the six walls which form the food compartment may be made of glass, substantially the only opaque portions being the floor of the food con'ipartment and the four corner posts. The result is that the machine of this invention, when so constructed, appears more in the nature of the conventional form of show-case than a vending machine. In this respect. it will be noted that, in the interest of clearness, the corner posts have been shown on a greatly onlarged scale, whereas, in the commercial adaptation of the invention, they are relatively small with respect to the dimensions of the food chamber.

Moreover, in contradistinction to the food vending machines now in use, there are no dark chambers, for housing the operating machinery, around the food compartments. This feature not only permits of thorough cleaning stimulus to it, as any lack of sanitary cleanliness is readily apparent to both the attendant and prospective customer. Then, again, the absence of said machinery housing chambers permits of the food chambers being compactly assembled in horizontal rows and vertical. tiers, a most important factor in the economy of space. and, also, in facilitating the dispensing of the food, since the food is rendered much more accessible to patrons by reason of such compact arrangement of the compartments.

Itvwill be noted, of course, that all the features of construction and advantages referred to need not necessarily be embodied in single machine. i. e., employed together, since some of the features referred to may be used independently of the others, or in conjunction with other features not specifically described.

7 The fact that the visual signal is brought. into operation conditional upon removing of the compartments, but is a food from the food chamber, and rendered inoperative conditional upon recharging the food chamber, thereby remaining visible as long as the food chamber'is empty, greatly facilitates the work of attendants, as well as serving to apprise prospective purchasers. Such a signal is entirely distinct in its function and utility from ordinary flash signals.

Having thus fullydescribed the inven tion. what I claim as new and desire to se cure by Letters Patent is:

l.'I11 a food vending machine, a food chamber provided with a discharging closure, electrical means for governing the opening of the discharging closure, said electrical means embodying a coin controlled switch, means for normally guiding acoin into COOPGIHUVQ relation with said switch,

and means, operated by the electrical means to the exterior of the machine, a valve co-' I operating with said chute fordirecting a coin into either one of said branches, electrical means controlled by the closure releasing circuit for shifting said valve into position to direct a coin through the branch leading to the exterior of the machine, and means operated by the closure closing circuit for shifting said valve into-position to direct the coin to said switch, whereby, when said closure is released, the coin is returned to the depositor, and. when the closure closed. the coin 'is directed to the switch.

3.111 a food vending machine, a food chamber provided with'charging and discharging closures, a'coin-controlled electric circuit for governing the opening of the discharging closure to allow of the dispensing ofthe food therein contained, and'a second circuit for governing the closing of the discharging closure before said chamber has been replenished, in combination with coin directing means for directing acoin into operative relation to the closure opening circuit if the chamber contains food, and;

for returning said coin to the depositor. if.

the chamber is empty.

t. In a food vending machine, a food chamber provided with charging and dis charging closures, and a signal, in combination with twodistinct electrical circuits in vchamber provided with a normally locked cording means andwa switch, a coinchute,

coin directing means associated with the coin ciiute for directing a com into coopera tion with the switch or diverting it trom the, switch to be returned to the-deposito-r,- and a second electrical circuit including means for closing the discharging closure, means for properly positioning the coin directing means so that a coin may be directed into cooperative relation with the switch to operating the first circuit, and signal reset ting means to reset the signal when the charging closure is closed, said second circuit being operated by an electrical contact controlled by the opening of the charging closure.

5. In a food vending machine, a food chamber provided with a discharging closure, a coin controlled electric circuit for governing the opening of the discharging closure to allow of the dispensing of the food therein contained, in combination with coin controlling means for directing a coin into operative relation to the closure open ing circuit for the purpose of energizing said circuit to permit of the opening of said closure, said coin controlling means being also responsive to the operations of said electric circuit for the purpose of diverting subsequent coins from coming into operative relation with the circuit, and means for resetting the parts to normal condition.

6. A vending machine embodying a food chamber provided with a normally locked dispensing closure, coin controlled means for unlocking said closure, means for directing a coin into cooperative relation with the un locking means for the purpose of effecting operation of the latter, and means, controlled by the unlocking means, for diverting a subsequent coin from coming into cooperation with the unlocking means until the closure has been relocked.

7. A vending machine embodying a food chamber provided with a normally locked dispensing closure, coin controlled means for unlocking said closure, means for directing a coin into cooperative relation with the unlocking means for the purpose of effect ing operation of the latter, and means open able by the unlocking means for precluding a subsequent coin from coming into cooperative relation with the unlocking means until the closure has been relocked, in combination with means for relocking the closure, and means operable by the relocking means to condition the coin directing means to deliver a subsequent coin into cooperative relation with the unlocking means so that a further vending operation may take place.

8. A vending machine embodying a food dispensing closure, coin controlled means. .for unlocking said closure, a coin chute pro vided with two branches one oi? which leads to the exterior ot the machine and'the other oi which. is adapted-to convey a coin into" cooperative relation with the unlocking means, coin directing means associated with the coin chute for controlling the path of a coin, and means controlled by the unlocking meansnfor operating the coin directing means to direct acoin through the branch of the coin chute leading to the exterior of the machine after a previously inserted coin has passed through the through branch of. the coin chute and actuated the unlocking means.

9. A dispensing machine embodying a food chamber provided with a normally locked dispensing closure,'coin controlled means for unlocking said closure, a coin chute provided with two branches one of which leads to the exterior of the machine and the other of which is adapted to convey a coin into cooperative relation with the unlocking means, coin directing means associated with the coin chute for controlling the path of a coin, and means controlled by the unlocking means for operating the coin directing means to direct a coin through the branch of the coin chute leading to the exterior of the machine after a previously inserted coin has passed through the through branch of the coin chute and actuated the nreans, in combination with means for re lockingthe closure after it has been unlocked, and means, controlled by the rclocln ing means. For rotating the coin directing means to a position wherein a subsequent coin will be delivered to the unlocking means.

10. A vending machine embodying a vending compartment, a closure associated therewith, means for normally locking the closure in closed condition, electrical means embodying a coin controlled switch for releasing the closure locking means, a coin chute provided with two branches, one of which leads to the switch and the other of which leads out of the machine, a pivoted flap associated with the coin chute for di recting a coin deposited in the ma hine through either one of said branches and a n'iagnet included in said circuit and opera tively positioned with respect to the flap so that when a coin passes into engagement with and operates a switch to unlock the closure, said magnet will shift the flap into position to direct a subsequent coin out of the machine.

11. A vending machine embodying a vending compartment, a closure associated therewith, means for normally locking the closure in closed condition, electrical means embodying a coin controlled switch for re til,

leasing the closure locking means, acoin chute provided with two branches, one of which leads to the switch and the other of which leads out of the machine, a pivoted flap associated with the coin chute for directing a coin deposited in the machine through either one of said branches and a magnet included in said circuit and operatively positioned with respect to the flap so that when a coin passes into engagement with and operates a switch to unlock the closure, said magnet will shift the flap into position to direct a subsequentcoin out oi the machine, in combination with electrical means for relocking the closure including a magnet operatively positioned with respect to the flap so that when said electrical means is operated and the closure locked, the flap will be returned to initial position to direct a subsequent coin into cooperative relation with the switch.

In testimony whereof, I have signed the foregoingspe'cification.

JULIUS ZSOLDOS. 

